How much glass is enough...

[Cannibal]

So I'm reshaping my SN and going flat deck. I've done some glassing before, but never enough to know strength compared to thickness. I've poured foam over my SN nose and reshaped. I also cut my hood down and foamed/reshaped as well. I'll obviously need to glass my deck too.

My question is: How thick do these areas need to be? I've got a lot of different material including: 1708, e-glass, 3/4 oz mat, core mat, and roving. I've used the core mat in a couple things and have been really surprised at how much rigidity it adds without adding weight.

So, what do you guys think I need to use for materials/layers/thicknesses?

BTW, here's a pic as it sits now. I stole a few styling cues from Trinity. You know....that old imitation/flattery saying.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[joe b]

That's awesome!!!

If you have'nt cut into the structure of the hull you'll be fine with a couple thin layers of cloth. For the tray area you'll want to make it thicker. I lay a test batch of the layers of cloth I think I'll need then cut into it after it dries to see if it's the thickness needed. I like @ 1/8 in. of glass where I stand.

 

[tightithrash]

looks cool!

 

[Cannibal]

That's awesome!!!

If you have'nt cut into the structure of the hull you'll be fine with a couple thin layers of cloth. For the tray area you'll want to make it thicker. I lay a test batch of the layers of cloth I think I'll need then cut into it after it dries to see if it's the thickness needed. I like @ 1/8 in. of glass where I stand.

1/8" is pretty good in the tray. I wasn't too sure because of the thickness of the stock hull. That won't be bad at all.

I have not cut into the front end at all, just simply poured foam over the stock front end. I did cut off the lip in the front though. That doesn't seem like it adds much structure anyways, most people end up breaking them anyway. I stood the ski up and reinforced the front some from the inside and filled it with 2 part foam. Then glassed in a 'bulkhead'. That should add a bit if structure to it anyways.

I'll probably do a couple layers of 1708 and a layer of e-glass to smooth it out on the front. Probably laminate in this order: 1708, roving, core mat, roving, and 1708 for the tray. That will be plenty strong and probably end up around 3/16" since I'm a bit heavy (235).

 

[Waternut]

The nose can be 2-3 thin layers and be fine. I did 3 thin layers on mine and then sanded smooth which meant I basically sanded 2 layers off a couple spots. I could push those thin spots in with a finger but was sick of smoothing and now they're imploded after a couple nose stabs but everything else has held up well.

 

[Cannibal]

The nose can be 2-3 thin layers and be fine. I did 3 thin layers on mine and then sanded smooth which meant I basically sanded 2 layers off a couple spots. I could push those thin spots in with a finger but was sick of smoothing and now they're imploded after a couple nose stabs but everything else has held up well.

Cool, that's what I was hoping. I really didn't want to build up 5 layers on the front and have to deal with all of the angles. The back will be easy.

 

[ou812]

I did 4 layers on my flat deck tray and it seems plenty strong. Also if your planning on running foot straps I would glass in mounting plates for them while your glassing your tray, it worked good for me.

Ski looks great by the way.